What a difference a Harley makes
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
What a difference a Harley makes
I just got my new Street Bob today. My first Harley. I was (perhaps) unwise in buying a Harley (especially a new one) without riding one before, but that's what I did anyway. Today was my first ride on a Harley. The purchase was NOT a mistake.
Wow. Riding that bike was a totally different experience for me. I'd been riding an old 850 Yamaha, and there is no comparison. It's like I didn't know what a motorcycle was until now. The Bob is.... amazing.
I was a little nervous first getting on it. It cost a stupid amount of money. It has more power than anything I've ever ridden. It's heavier than anything I've ever ridden. I'd heard things about the low-rpm shake that worried me a little. I had to deal with a steep gravel driveway on takeoff. It was windy out too, which also worried me as the Yamaha doesn't handle all that well in the gusts.
What the heck was I worried about? It handled like a dream. Smooth takeoff, mild mannered (but still with heaping gobs of power available without having to downshift all the time), handles beautifully, feels more comfortable in turns (especially at low speed - which is odd given the additional weight, I had figured it would give some trouble there). I couldn't believe how simply stable it felt. I felt like I was actually riding better on the first spin with the thing. The vibration was noticable at low speeds, but didn't bother me at all, I felt like I could tell better what the engine was doing (which I like), and it was insignificant compared to the leg-numbing high-rpm vibration of my old bike. As for the wind... what wind? The bike didn't even notice it, and with the better riding position (feeling like I'm sitting securely in the bike, instead of perched on top of it holding on for dear life) it didn't feel like it was going to peel me off the bike either.
Something always told me that a Harley was the bike for me. Something was obviously right.
Now if the guy I'm supposed to meet would just hurry up and get here, so I can stop twiddling my thumbs and go back out...
Wow. Riding that bike was a totally different experience for me. I'd been riding an old 850 Yamaha, and there is no comparison. It's like I didn't know what a motorcycle was until now. The Bob is.... amazing.
I was a little nervous first getting on it. It cost a stupid amount of money. It has more power than anything I've ever ridden. It's heavier than anything I've ever ridden. I'd heard things about the low-rpm shake that worried me a little. I had to deal with a steep gravel driveway on takeoff. It was windy out too, which also worried me as the Yamaha doesn't handle all that well in the gusts.
What the heck was I worried about? It handled like a dream. Smooth takeoff, mild mannered (but still with heaping gobs of power available without having to downshift all the time), handles beautifully, feels more comfortable in turns (especially at low speed - which is odd given the additional weight, I had figured it would give some trouble there). I couldn't believe how simply stable it felt. I felt like I was actually riding better on the first spin with the thing. The vibration was noticable at low speeds, but didn't bother me at all, I felt like I could tell better what the engine was doing (which I like), and it was insignificant compared to the leg-numbing high-rpm vibration of my old bike. As for the wind... what wind? The bike didn't even notice it, and with the better riding position (feeling like I'm sitting securely in the bike, instead of perched on top of it holding on for dear life) it didn't feel like it was going to peel me off the bike either.
Something always told me that a Harley was the bike for me. Something was obviously right.
Now if the guy I'm supposed to meet would just hurry up and get here, so I can stop twiddling my thumbs and go back out...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,682
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
RE: What a difference a Harley makes
Congrats. I like the Bob ride too. Real light feeling compared to my others, even tho the Outlaw is the same weight (or a little lower). My cousin's Aero did feel like I was riding a kiddie BMX bike, and the handlebar hit my knees.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,704
Likes: 95
From:
RE: What a difference a Harley makes
The Dyna's in general feel lighter. My bro's Street Glide and my Deuce are virtually the same. Shorter wheelbase, less rake make it feel lighter.
Enjoy it. We should put your post out there on every metric bike site..
Enjoy it. We should put your post out there on every metric bike site..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 25,962
Likes: 9,763
From: Montana & Arkansas
RE: What a difference a Harley makes
Gee, I hope Harley pays you some royalties for the ad you just wrote!!!
ORIGINAL: madelf
I just got my new Street Bob today. My first Harley. I was (perhaps) unwise in buying a Harley (especially a new one) without riding one before, but that's what I did anyway. Today was my first ride on a Harley. The purchase was NOT a mistake.
Wow. Riding that bike was a totally different experience for me. I'd been riding an old 850 Yamaha, and there is no comparison. It's like I didn't know what a motorcycle was until now. The Bob is.... amazing.
I was a little nervous first getting on it. It cost a stupid amount of money. It has more power than anything I've ever ridden. It's heavier than anything I've ever ridden. I'd heard things about the low-rpm shake that worried me a little. I had to deal with a steep gravel driveway on takeoff. It was windy out too, which also worried me as the Yamaha doesn't handle all that well in the gusts.
What the heck was I worried about? It handled like a dream. Smooth takeoff, mild mannered (but still with heaping gobs of power available without having to downshift all the time), handles beautifully, feels more comfortable in turns (especially at low speed - which is odd given the additional weight, I had figured it would give some trouble there). I couldn't believe how simply stable it felt. I felt like I was actually riding better on the first spin with the thing. The vibration was noticable at low speeds, but didn't bother me at all, I felt like I could tell better what the engine was doing (which I like), and it was insignificant compared to the leg-numbing high-rpm vibration of my old bike. As for the wind... what wind? The bike didn't even notice it, and with the better riding position (feeling like I'm sitting securely in the bike, instead of perched on top of it holding on for dear life) it didn't feel like it was going to peel me off the bike either.
Something always told me that a Harley was the bike for me. Something was obviously right.
Now if the guy I'm supposed to meet would just hurry up and get here, so I can stop twiddling my thumbs and go back out...
I just got my new Street Bob today. My first Harley. I was (perhaps) unwise in buying a Harley (especially a new one) without riding one before, but that's what I did anyway. Today was my first ride on a Harley. The purchase was NOT a mistake.
Wow. Riding that bike was a totally different experience for me. I'd been riding an old 850 Yamaha, and there is no comparison. It's like I didn't know what a motorcycle was until now. The Bob is.... amazing.
I was a little nervous first getting on it. It cost a stupid amount of money. It has more power than anything I've ever ridden. It's heavier than anything I've ever ridden. I'd heard things about the low-rpm shake that worried me a little. I had to deal with a steep gravel driveway on takeoff. It was windy out too, which also worried me as the Yamaha doesn't handle all that well in the gusts.
What the heck was I worried about? It handled like a dream. Smooth takeoff, mild mannered (but still with heaping gobs of power available without having to downshift all the time), handles beautifully, feels more comfortable in turns (especially at low speed - which is odd given the additional weight, I had figured it would give some trouble there). I couldn't believe how simply stable it felt. I felt like I was actually riding better on the first spin with the thing. The vibration was noticable at low speeds, but didn't bother me at all, I felt like I could tell better what the engine was doing (which I like), and it was insignificant compared to the leg-numbing high-rpm vibration of my old bike. As for the wind... what wind? The bike didn't even notice it, and with the better riding position (feeling like I'm sitting securely in the bike, instead of perched on top of it holding on for dear life) it didn't feel like it was going to peel me off the bike either.
Something always told me that a Harley was the bike for me. Something was obviously right.
Now if the guy I'm supposed to meet would just hurry up and get here, so I can stop twiddling my thumbs and go back out...
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
RE: What a difference a Harley makes
Yeah, some of you guys did try to tell me. Must be it worked.
And I sure can't say you steered me wrong.
Looks like the pics will have to wait a bit though. The batteries in the camera are dead. If I can remember to get some, I'll grab a pic of mine and the wife's too (her '05 Low Rider also arrived today - but she had to work, I'm very sad for her).
Mine you can pretty much see on the Harley website. I got the '07 in Olive Pearl and Black, all stock except for the SE slip-ons and a lay-down plate bracket. I've already got some changes in mind for it though.
And I sure can't say you steered me wrong.
Looks like the pics will have to wait a bit though. The batteries in the camera are dead. If I can remember to get some, I'll grab a pic of mine and the wife's too (her '05 Low Rider also arrived today - but she had to work, I'm very sad for her).
Mine you can pretty much see on the Harley website. I got the '07 in Olive Pearl and Black, all stock except for the SE slip-ons and a lay-down plate bracket. I've already got some changes in mind for it though.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
RE: What a difference a Harley makes
ORIGINAL: nine11c2
We should put your post out there on every metric bike site..
We should put your post out there on every metric bike site..
Still wouldn't be a Harley though. There really is "just something about a Harley" isn't there?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
RE: What a difference a Harley makes
ORIGINAL: Big Sled
Gee, I hope Harley pays you some royalties for the ad you just wrote!!!
Gee, I hope Harley pays you some royalties for the ad you just wrote!!!